The Impact of Art

I had neither read nor heard about Robert Gober’s installation at MOCA’s Geffen Contemporary. Completely unsuspecting, I came upon Gober’s piece, the larger-than-life statue of the Virgin Mary, the soothing cascade of water behind her and the mysterious grates flanking the statue. I found the imagery breathtakingly beautiful and inspirational. I am a devout Roman Catholic who obviously interprets Gober’s piece in my own way. Perhaps it’s the result of years of viewing contemporary art that I do not confront it literally, nor am I influenced by an artist’s intent.

Later friends sent me Chief Curator Paul Schimmel’s erudite essay, Christopher Knight’s smashing review (“Articles of Faith for This World,” Sept. 9) and Father Gregory Coiro’s Counterpunch (“Gober Exhibition Insults Virgin Mary,” Sept. 22), and I concluded that at times it pays not to be intellectual. Rather to simply allow a piece of art to impact one’s emotions without thought or rationalization. I do admit that being confronted with the need for faith is disquieting. But then good art is never comfortable.

MARTHA PADVE

Friday Harbor, Wash.